Baked Mac and Cheese Recipe

Baked Mac and Cheese is a classic and comforting pasta best anytime and popular during Thanks Giving and Christmas. My baked mac and cheese recipe is creamy, cheesy with a buttery crisp topping and goey cheese. Recipe includes how to video and step by step pictures with instructions, stove top method also given.

Baked Mac and Cheese is our family favourite loved by both the kids and hubby. When I was browsing through pasta recipes, I found this Baked Mac and Cheese Recipe quite interesting and started trying. Since then this has been in our regular menu at least once a month.

Jump to:

• About Baked Mac and Cheese
• Baked Mac and Cheese Video
• Baked Macaroni and Cheese Ingredients
• How to make Baked Mac and Cheese Step by Step
• Expert Tips
• Serving & Storage
• FAQS
• 📖 Recipe Card

About Baked Mac and Cheese

Mac and Cheese is made by first cooking pasta then tossing it a rich creamy cheesy white sauce finally layered in a baking tray topped with cheese and breadcrumbs and baked. We totally loved it as it had a crusty top from the breadcrumbs with a soft cheesy pasta - total yum.

My family loves all types of pasta and white sauce pasta is their favorite. Me being the odd man out in the family as I am not fond of pasta at all but would love to make for them. This is extra cheesy with a buttery crisp panko topping this tastes out of the world.

I would recommend having it as a brunch (skip a  meal) so that you dont feel guilty of having the cheesy pasta. But guess a day of cheesy indulgence is ok to go what say?! I have given notes for stove top version also for those who want to make it without an oven.

Baked Mac and Cheese is a cheesy goodness perfect for a special dinner or holiday. There are many Mac and Cheese recipes out there but this one is our family favourite. It serves best as such but you can serve it with mashed potatoes, green bean casserole or just a crisp toast.

First when I tried I used a combination of regular cheddar cheese and mozarella cheese. But now when I wanted to shoot a video, I wanted to create a classic recipe which uses orange cheddar cheese as main ingredient. And you know it isn't easy to find this orange cheddar cheese here in my place but luckily one day hubby found it at the supermarket and there was no looking back since then.

Baked Mac and Cheese Video

Breadcrumbs

You can use regular breadcrumbs too but panko breadcrumbs works best. This is before and after shots of toasting the breadcrumbs. Toasting the breadcrumbs in butter adds taste and extra crisp texture.

Cheese to use

Cheddar cheese is the main ingredient here so you can either use regular white cheddar cheese or orange cheddar cheese. The other cheese can be a combination of either mozarella or processed or gouda cheese.

Baked vs StoveTop

Baked Mac and Cheese has a crusted crispy top with a goey mac and cheese inside. With Stovetop version you will miss the crusty top otherwise taste will be the same.

For stove-top version check step 28.

Baked Macaroni and Cheese Ingredients

• Macaroni Pasta - Macaroni Pasta variety is preferred for this recipe and I would suggest to stick with it.But if you prefer you can use shell type or any small variety pasta.
• Milk - Use full cream milk for a creamy rich sauce.
• Cheese - Cheddar cheese is the main ingredient here, in addition you can add processed or mozarella cheese.
• Butter - Use fresh butter for best taste. I always use homemade butter.
• Flour - Usually white flour is used but you can replace it with wheat flour too.
• Breadcrumbs - I used panko breadcrumbs which works best however you can use regular breadcrumbs too.
• Spices - Nutmeg, paprika and pepper powder are used here for flavor.

How to make Baked Mac and Cheese Step by Step

1.Bring 4 cups water to boil in a large pot. Get ready with all other ingredients.When water starts to boil add 1 teaspoon oil along with salt.

2. Let it boil well.

3.Add 1 heaped cup macaroni pasta variety.

4.Give a quick mix.

5.Cook until fork tender. It may take 5-6 minutes depending upon the pasta variety and size. Reserve ½ cup pasta cooked water for later use.

6.Drain water and Set aside.

7.Rinse it with cold water to prevent further cooking. Set it aside.

8.Keep the flame in low. Now to a heavy bottomed pot add 2 tablespoon butter, let it melt slightly - give a quick whisk.

9.Add 2 tablespoon flour.

10.Whisk quickly until no dry flour is seen.

11.Immediately add 2 cups milk(boiled, cooled).

12.Keep whisking and stirring. Once it starts to thicken switch to a spatula.

13.Keep stirring continuously to avoid lumps.In few minutes it turns slightly thick coating the ladle.

14.Now add salt to taste, ¼ teaspoon pepper powder, ½ teaspoon paprika powder and a pinch of nutmeg powder.

15.Mix it well.

16.Now add grated 1 cup orange cheddar cheese and ½ cup processed or mozarella cheese - I used processed cheese.

17.Whisk well until cheese melts and it is smooth and creamy.

18.Add cooked macaroni pasta.

19.Mix it well. Let it be goey only then while baking it will not get dried up.

20.Mac and Cheese is ready to serve as such too. But we are making baked version so lets proceed to below steps.

21.See how creamy and goey it is. Set aside. Preheat oven at 190 deg C for 10 minutes.

22.To a small pan add 2 tablespoon butter add ¼ cup panko breadcrumbs.

23.Toast it until it turns golden bown in color.Set aside.

24.Now to a baking tray first spoon the prepared mac and cheese.

25.Sprinkle toasted breadcrumbs.

26.Add ¼ cup cheddar cheese.

27.Add 2 tablespoon regular processed cheese.

28.Baked in preheated oven at 190 deg C for 30 minutes. Baked Mac and Cheese is ready to serve!

For stove top version add prepared mac and cheese in flame safe bowl then add the toasted breadcrumb, cheese topping and cook in lowest flame for 10 minutes until cheese melts.

Baked Mac and Cheese is ready!

Expert Tips

• Pasta - Macaroni pasta is best suited for this recipe. However you can use other varieties of pasta too.
• Individual serving - You can even use ramekins to bake for individual serving.I baked in 3 small oven proof trays.
• Milk - Use farm fresh full cream milk. Use boiled warm milk, I would not recommend using raw milk.
• Cheese - You can use a combination of cheese. Make sure to buy a block, grate it and then use to ensure that the cheese melts properly.
• Breadcrumbs - If you do no have panko breadcrumbs you can use regular breadcrumbs too.
• Adding cheese - Simmer and then add cheese. Whisk continuously when adding milk to avoid lumps.

Serving & Storage

Serve it hot with toasted bread or it tastes great as such too. I wouldn't recommend to store as it tastes great when hot also the consistency of mac and cheese changes when cooled or stored. So always Serve hot!

FAQS

1.What is the best cheese to use for Mac and Cheese?

Cheddar cheese is a must for this recipe. It is ok to use yellow cheddar cheese if you don't get orange cheddar cheese. In addition use a combination of gowda cheese, mozarella cheese and processed cheese. Using a combination of cheese always works.

2.I dont have a oven, Can I make this Mac and Cheese?

Yes definitely. You can make Mac and Cheese as mentioned then finally add the topping and cook in stovetop for 10 minutes or until the cheese melts.

3.Should I cover the tray while I bake mac and cheese?

I usually don't cover and there is no necessity to cover for this recipe.

4.Can I add other adds-ins like vegetables?

Yes you can add sautéed bell pepper, mushroom, chicken, onion and dried herbs of your choice.

5.How long can I store mac and cheese in fridge?

It keeps well in fridge for 3-5 days in fridge. But it gets easily dried in fridge so make sure to add more sauce if needed while you reheat and serve.

If you have any more questions about this Baked Mac and Cheese Recipe do mail me at sharmispassions@gmail.com. In addition, follow me on Instagram, Facebook,  Pinterest, Youtube and Twitter.

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